Chapter 397

Just as the two were enjoying a moment of peace, giving each other preventive shots, after a while they suddenly heard Xiangling's report from outside the door:

"Jia Jing, Jia Mu, Yuan Chun, and Tan Chun have come, saying they have something to see you about!"

The sudden voice made Baichai's heart skip a beat; she lifted her head, saw Jia Jing's face as calm as an ancient well, slightly relaxed her breath, and spoke softly:

"They probably came because of Baoyu's matter; yesterday the Spirit-Touched Jade was smashed, and Lady Wang vomited blood and fainted."

"I heard from my mother that Jia Mu thinks this is an ill omen, very worried that Jia Baoyu will come to harm, so last night she came to the mansion to wait for you, hoping to plead for Jia Baoyu and spare him punishment."

The meaning behind the words needs no explanation: they didn't catch him last night, so they came again this morning to intercept him!

As for the Spirit-Touched Jade's breakage, Jia Jing actually already knew about it; he was somewhat surprised by this.

In the original work, the Spirit-Touched Jade is described as a leftover stone from Nüwa's mending of the heavens.

Because it yearned for the mortal world, a monk and a Daoist used illusionary arts to transform it into a "bright, pure, and beautiful jade."

Afterward, it was "carried along" by the Divine Ying attendant, namely the former incarnation of Jia Baoyu, when he was reborn, thus giving rise to the marvel of Jia Baoyu being born holding the jade.

One could say it is both a stone and the most important mythological thread running through the entire original work, a point where myth and reality connect.

Who would have thought that yesterday this mending-the-heavens stone would be shattered all over the ground, its profound meaning inevitably prompting deep reflection.

In Jia Jing's view, the stone's breakage either signifies that the fates of the original characters have been completely altered, meaning the stone's "karmic bond is finished"!

Or perhaps this stone is not the mending-the-heavens stone at all, after all this world is not purely a Red Chamber world but a mixture of Red Chamber and several early Qing worlds, so one cannot simply copy the original Red Chamber content wholesale!

And according to the Embroidered Uniform Guard's covert investigations over the years, Jia Jing feels the latter possibility is more likely.

Because after gathering and analyzing information from various sources, this world seems to have revealed nothing supernatural; instead it appears to be merely a deviant ancient backdrop.

Of course, no matter what, the jade is broken, and to Jia Jing it makes little difference.

Even if it hadn't broken, he originally had no intention of keeping this source of disaster!

"Take Jia Mu, Yuan Chun, and Tan Chun to the inner hall; I'll be there shortly!"

After a moment's thought, Jia Jing gave a command to Xiangling outside the door.

The inner hall is the second hall along the central route, situated between the outer and inner sections; it is normally used to receive family members and female guests, and at this moment arranging for several people to go there is to avoid Baichai.

"Brother, you go see Jia Mu and the others; I'll head back to Li Xiang Courtyard first!"

Although Baichai's face, as white as a pear blossom, bore a hint of reluctance, she still spoke sensibly.

She herself naturally could not meet with Jia Mu, Yuan Chun, and Tan Chun at this moment, otherwise a young lady's reputation would suffer, and she would truly have no face to show in public!

Jia Jing gently kissed Baichai's forehead and spoke softly:

"Mm, then I'll have someone send you back!"

Having said that, he rose, summoned a maid from the rear courtyard, and escorted Baichai away.

At this moment in the inner hall, Xiangling and Qingwen were receiving Jia Mu, Yuan Chun, and Tan Chun who had arrived.

Yuan Chun today wore a lotus‑pale dark‑flower gauze long skirt, wide but not bulky, its collar embroidered with extremely fine twining orchid grass patterns, which made her long neck appear even fairer.

She had little other adornment, only a jade‑green pendant at her waist; although her face was originally as white as jade, it now showed a touch of weariness and worry.

Tan Chun wore a silver‑red vest, its collar and cuffs trimmed with narrow dark‑green satin, which made her oval face look even purer.

She stood by the inner hall window like a straight green bamboo, exuding vigor from her very bones.

Jia Mu sat on a side couch, her aged face showing a hint of anxiety, and she asked Xiangling and Qingwen:

"When did Brother Jing return yesterday, and is his mood still pleasant today?"

Xiangling, who was serving tea and snacks, blinked her eyes and replied in a somewhat simple‑minded way:

"Jia Jing returned at the first moment of the hai hour yesterday, and his mood should still be fine today!"

Thinking of how she had just caught a glimpse through the door crack of Baichai leaning in Jia Jing's arms, she mused that his mood today must be quite bright.

Hearing this, Jia Mu let out a long sigh of relief and said repeatedly:

"That's good! That's good!"

If it weren't for her genuine worry over Baoyu's situation, plus Lady Wang being bedridden and immobile, she would never dare to come alone to the mansion to plead with her third grandson!

Why say "alone"? Because Yuan Chun and Tan Chun, as young ladies, would obviously not be able to share any possible wrath from Jia Jing!

The third grandson's "cold words" always fall on himself and the Wang clan; with such favoritism, where could she go to reason?

Muttering to herself, Jia Mu couldn't help but also instruct Yuan Chun and Tan Chun:

"Eldest Miss, Third Miss, Brother Jing has always been close to you sisters; later you must remember to say a few good words for him!"

Needless to say, although she hasn't yet seen Jia Jing's face, Jia Mu's heart is already in turmoil, unable to sit or stand still!

Yuan Chun furrowed her brows, her dignified face showing a hint of sorrow; she and Tan Chun had originally not wanted to come, but because Jia Mu pleaded softly, they had no choice but to accompany her.

Tan Chun likewise sighed, her delicate brows slightly furrowed, and said:

"Old lady, you'd better not hold any expectations! Everyone knows Third Brother's stubborn nature; once he decides something, he never changes his mind."

"Moreover, today he intends to straighten the clan's customs—precisely the time to set rules—how could he show favoritism solely to Second Brother?"

Tan Chun fundamentally does not expect a good outcome from Jia Mu's trip, for you should know that Third Brother is not their father; no one from the inner chambers can interfere with his will!

Jia Mu thought of Jia Jing's past cold demeanor and cold heart, and lamented:

"Ah! How could I not know? It's just that your second brother's lifeline this time actually got smashed—this omen is truly bad, I worry he'll come to harm…"

Before Jia Mu could finish, a maid's announcement came from outside:

"The Duke has arrived!"

The people in the hall instantly fell silent, all turning tense gazes toward the tall, jade‑like youth striding in under the eaves.

Yuan Chun and Tan Chun's expressions froze slightly; they gazed intently and saw the youth clad in a python‑robe and jade belt, his countenance solemn and dignified, striding quickly into the hall.

"Brother Jing!"

"Brother Jing!"

"Third Brother!"

Jia Mu rose and called out once; Yuan Chun and Tan Chun then stepped forward to greet him, performing a ceremonial bow!

Jia Jing's face was cold and stern as he nodded, then sat at the senior's desk while calling out:

"Elder sister, third sister, why did you have time to come so early? Sit down quickly!"

Yuan Chun and Tan Chun, following the instruction, sat on the embroidered cushion beside it, looked at Jia Mu on the couch whom Jia Jing had ignored, blinked, and were momentarily speechless!

Jia Mu's expression hardened, her lips twitched, she endured her inner unease, silently sat down, looked at Jia Jing's complexion with some worry, forced a smile and said in a hoarse voice:

"Hehe, brother Jing..."

"Old lady, you shouldn't have come!"

Before Jia Mu could finish speaking, Jia Jing's expression turned somber, his demeanor showing no joy or anger, and he cut in with a cold voice: